Title: “Stop Your Worryin’—He’s Got the Whole Wide World in His Hands.”

Key Scripture: "Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” – Matthew 6:27 (NIV)

1. Set the Scene (Back Porch Wisdom)

"Now, y’all ever heard an old hound dog howlin’ at nothin’? Bless his heart, he ain’t changin’ the moon’s course, and he sure ain’t fixin’ his supper with all that racket. Worryin’ is a lot like that—you make a fuss, but it don’t get you no closer to what you need."

Jesus hit the nail on the head when He told us worryin’ don’t add a second to our lives. In fact, it just wears us slap out. So why waste today frettin’ over tomorrow, when God’s already sittin’ there, workin’ it out?

2. Illustration: The Farmer and the Storm

Let me tell y’all a story from down home. There was a farmer who saw storm clouds rollin’ in. His neighbor hollered, “Aren’t you worried about the rain ruin’ your crops?” That farmer just smiled and said, “Ain’t no sense in frettin’. If it rains, God’ll give me the grace to replant. If it don’t, He’ll give me the grace to harvest.”

Now, that’s a man who knows who’s got the reins (no pun intended). He ain’t the one controllin’ the weather, and neither are we. That’s God’s job, and He’s mighty good at it.

3. God’s Got It All (Illustrating His Hands)

Think about the song we sang as kids: He’s got the whole world in His hands. That means your troubles, your trials, your future, and your past. He’s got it all. And let me tell ya, His hands are big enough to hold every problem you got and still keep the stars from fallin’ outta the sky.

When Jesus says in Matthew 6:26, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them,” He’s remindin’ us that if He takes care of the sparrows, He’ll sure take care of His kids. After all, we’re worth more than a whole flock of them little birds.

4. Hope and Encouragement (Quit Borrowin’ Trouble)

Grandma always said, “Worryin’ is like payin’ interest on a loan you ain’t even took out yet.” She was right. Half the things we worry about never happen. The other half, God’s already figurin’ out before we even get to ‘em.

Philippians 4:6-7 tells us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” That’s a fancy way of sayin’, “Turn loose of it, and let God take it.”

5. Application (Trust in Action)

Here’s how we quit our worryin’ and start trustin’:

1. Pray First, Worry Last: Next time you feel worry creepin’ in, pray. Put it in God’s hands and leave it there.

2. Be Thankful: Count your blessings. It’s hard to worry when you’re thankin’ God for what He’s already done.

3. Take it Day by Day: Jesus said, “Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34). Don’t go borrowin’ tomorrow’s troubles.

   
   

Close (Back Porch Wrap-Up)

So, next time worry comes knockin’, remember this: you can sit and stew, or you can trust the One who’s got the whole wide world in His hands. Jesus ain’t lettin’ go, y’all. He’s holdin’ you tighter than Grandma’s hug after a long day.

Let’s pray:“Lord, thank You for remindin’ us that You’ve got this whole world in Your hands, includin’ our troubles. Help us to trust You and let go of worry. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”